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Basically ... The offense didn't work last year only averaging 11.2 points per game which was inexcusable considering how experienced the team was. Now there's even more experience, but there has to be more firepower. Sophomore QB Chris Phillips has the mobility to survive behind a porous offensive line and needs the young receiving corps to step up. The running backs are strong enough to keep things moving.
Star of the offense: Senior RB Foy Munlin
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore QB Chris Phillips
Unsung star on the rise: Junior QB Tony Eckert
Best pro prospect: Sophomore WR Bobby Chase
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Munlin, 2) C Brad Kieschnick, 3) WR Matt Rushbrook
Strength of the offense: Running back
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line production
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Chris Phillips, Soph. - Phillips took over with five games to go in his true freshman season and put a bit of a charge into the offense. He wasn't the most polished of passers completing 45% of his throws, but he was a strong runner finishing second on the team with 246 yards and a score. If he doesn't produce and keep on earning the starting job, he'll go back to being a strong backup.
Top Backups
- Jerad Romo, Jr. - Romo comes to SMU from Antelope Valley Junior College where he completed 125 of 206 pass attempts for 1,731 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions as a sophomore. He was a good recruit and will be in the mix right away.
- Tony Eckert, Jr. - The JUCO transfer is a strong, accurate passer who led Tyler Junior College to a ten-win season. He has the number three job going into the season, but he'll have to deal with some stiff competition when some newcomers arrive.
The Skinny: It's Chris Phillips' job to lose, but there has to be more production out of the passing game and the offense or it will be another year of musical quarterbacks. The competition should be fierce this all year for the backup job.
Player to keep an eye on: Jerad Romo ... Quarterback Rating: 3.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Foy Munlin, Sr. - The Texas Tech transfer will try and replace Keylon Kincaide's 1,280 yards and four touchdowns. Munlin sat out 2003 and has one season of eligibility remaining. In 2002, he ranked second on the Red Raiders in rushing with 254 yards and three touchdowns. At 236 pounds, he's a powerful back.
- Fullback Derron Brown, Sr. - Brown stayed healthy after being banged up all of 2002 and turned into a solid blocking back. He's only 215 pounds and didn't get too many carries, but he can catch scoring two touchdowns on his nine grabs.
Top Backups
- Cedrick Dorsey, RFr. - Dorsey adds a bit more flash to the running back corps. He's a flashier back than Foy Munlin and will be asked to provide the more home run hitting capability.
- Richuel Massey, RFr. - Massey was a top recruit last year with impressive strength and a nose for the goal line. He'll battle for the number two job and should grow into the team's back of the future.
The Skinny: Keylon Kincaide was everything to the Mustang offense. He wasn't big and wasn't fast, but he was productive. Now the Mustangs have some big and fast backs with Texas Tech transfer Foy Munlin leading a group of baby backs. True freshmen Jessie Henderson and DeMyron Martin will get a long look.
Player to keep an eye on: Richuel Massey ... Running Back Rating: 4.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Blake Warren, Soph. - Warren is only 5-7 and 170 pounds but he's jitterbug quick. He was a top touchdown producer in high school and needs to be more of a deep threat after only averaging 8.5 yards per grab on 11 catches.
- Jay'Mond Cleveland, Soph. - One of the team's speediest receivers, Cleveland took over one of the starting jobs this spring. He's a great athlete who should quickly grow into a go-to guy.
- Bobby Chase, Soph. - The JUCO transfer is big and very fast. He is 6-4, 210 pounds with 4.5 speed ready to be a huge factor in the passing attack.
- Tight end Derek Swofford, Sr. - Swofford might be keeping the seat warm until star tight end Vincent Chase gets in the mix. Swofford isn't much of a blocker, but he can run and could turn into a good receiver.
Top Backups
- Trey Griffin, Sr. - Griffin isn't all that big and isn't all that fast, but he's a veteran in the offense making 15 catches for 195 yards last year. He'll battle Jay'Mond Cleveland for starting time.
- Matt Rushbrook, Sr. - The former defensive back turned into the team's top receiver last year making 30 catches for 359 yards and three touchdowns despite missing two games with a knee injury. He needs to be 100% for the offense to have much of a passing attack.
- Devin Lowery, Fr. - Speed, speed, speed, speed and speed. The star recruit runs a 4.37 40 to go along with his good hands and great all-around athleticism.
- Tight end Ryan Kennedy, Soph. - Kennedy has the size and speed to be a good all-around tight end. He didn't get much experience last year and should have problems seeing time once Vincent Chase gets to camp.
- Tight end Vincent Chase, Fr. - The 6-5, 245-pound true freshman is one of the few players on the team that could've played for anyone in the country. He's a good receiver with tremendous athleticism.
The Skinny: This is a corps long on potential and short on production. Players like Bobby Chase, Jay'Mond Cleveland and Devin Lowery instantly upgrades the stagnant group. None of the tight ends caught a pass last year, but there are three good ones making the position a strength.
Player to keep an eye on: Bobby Chase ... Receiver Rating: 3
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Darrin Johnson, Soph. - The former defensive tackle is a rising star on the offensive side. The 6-6, 292-pound sophomore is still learning on the fly after being thrown to the wolves as a redshirt freshman, but he should turn into an anchor.
- Guard Grant Eidson, Jr. - Eidson can play center or guard getting the first look on the left side. He isn't all that big at 6-1 and 265 pounds and should be pushed hard for playing time.
- Center Brad Kieschnick, Jr. - The most versatile player on the line, Kieschnick has seen time at tackle and guard over the last few years. He is a top run blocker and has the experience and smarts to be the quarterback of the front line moving over to center.
- Guard Martin Guidry, Soph. - Guidry is an aggressive blocker with decent feet and a little bit of starting experience. He is suited for tackle, but the 275-pound sophomore will see time at right guard until Townsend Hargis is ready to go.
- Tackle Chris Urbanus, Soph. - The 6-5, 310-pound Urbanus is ready to become a top player with the body to become a star pass protector. He'll also become one of the key blockers in the rushing attack.
Top Backups
- OT Eric Neil, Sr. - Neal has been a backup for most of his career and will push for time at left tackle behind Darrin Johnson. He's a little bit bigger and more experienced, but isn't nearly as good.
- OT Martin Guidry, RFr. - The redshirt freshman is expected to become a top backup and could push Neil for starting time.
- OG Townsend Hargis, Sr. - Hargis is an experienced 300-pound player, one of the biggest on the line, and has plenty of experience. He has to fight back after missing six games with a knee injury and has had problems with his ankle as well.
The Skinny: The line should have been far better last year with four returning starters, and there is more than enough experience for an improvement after allowing 41 sacks and paving the way for only six rushing touchdowns. The coaching staff with experiment with several different combinations looking to get the young line to produce.
Player to keep an eye on: Brad Kieschnick ... Offensive Line Rating: 4
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